1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 with 55k Miles Looks Like an Interesting Buy

Back in the days when Eddie Murphy was “Partying all the time” and Robert Palmer was “Addicted to Love”, there was an automotive war raging on between BMW’s M3 E30 and Mercedes-Benz’s 190E 2.3 16v. Ironically, you could say the latter was the M3 sedan of the 1980s. Now, the one you really want is the 190E 2.5 16v and in particular, the Evolution I and II, but good luck finding one of those in the States.

What you can get right now is a nicely preserved (on the surface and judging by the pictures, of course, as we don’t know what’s hiding under) 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3 16v with just 55,700 miles (89,621 km) on the odometer that is up for auction on eBay with no reserve. The highest bid now stands at $8,000 with the auction to end in 6 days on May 12, 2014.

It does have a few nicks here and there, but for a car that’s almost 30 years old, it looks pretty damn good and that’s probably a testament to the way Mercedes’ built and engineered cars in the 1980s.

The sporty four door saloon has the Cosworth-tuned 2.3-liter inline-four and according to the New Hampshire seller, it’s the more powerful European-specification unit with 185PS (182hp) at 6,200 rpm and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm paired to a five-speed manual, that allows for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h (143mph). The North American version of the car produced 167hp and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft).

While I contemplate about whether I should join the bidding, do take a look at the photo gallery and the seller’s description below.

By John Halas

eBay Seller’s Description

This is the one, what a dream boat! Beautiful and fast Mercedes 190e 2.3-16. 16 valve Mercedes Cosworth from 1986. I am the 3rd owner, have owned it for the past 12 years and it has only 55k original miles. I bought it from the 2nd owner in 2002 and drove it more often when I first bought it but now only drive it once a month on nice days. No winters, only the occasional sunny day. Garage kept. It was a third car so I just enjoyed it here and there. It’s fast and runs like a top!

A little history about this car: It’s a 1986 and was imported brand new to the US in December of 1985. My paperwork from the DOT says it arrived in the US on 12/28/85. I bought it from the 2nd owner. It was the wife’s car, she was a stay at home mom, and didn’t use it much. When I bought it, she had a baby’s car seat in the back! It is European with the faster engine and it shows. It has more horsepower and it’s a blast to drive. I have a ton of paperwork with it. Service records from the past 15 years for tune-ups, etc for around $6,000. A lot of service was done at Mercedes of White Plains in NY.

Condition: Great! I’d say it is an 8 out of 10. It’s fast and runs like a top. It has a 5 speed transmission, the dogleg transmission. The exterior is probably an 8. It’s all original paint, etc., but it has a couple chips and a couple scratches. There is no rust and the car is extremely good but not perfect. There are some buff swirls on the rear spoiler. The very bottom part of the side skirts have a couple spots where the black is worn off. That’s about it. The wheels are mint, the spare wheel is mint. They are the original factory wide wheels. The tires only have a couple thousand miles and the spare tire has never been used. The interior is also about an 8. It is excellent but not perfect. The leather seats are extremely good but there are a couple of tiny wear spots, no rips or anything. One of the rear seat belt buckles is broken but works fine. The window molding on the back two doors are coming up a little. The display isn’t working on the stop watch in the dash. That’s about it. The rest is just about in excellent condition. I believe the A/C needs a freon charge. The radio and rear speakers were updated in the early 2000s but I have the original beckers radio if you want it. I forgot to picture it. All gauges work great. Dash is nice. It has an AMG steering wheel which was on it when it was imported to the US. It has the original manuals and tools. No leaks.

I bought the car because it was in excellent shape with very few miles. I did a carfax when I purchased it in 2002 and I still have it. It’s clean with no issues. I can provide a copy if you email me. The car is extremely nice. I have the NY state title. I’m not a mechanic so I don’t know all the technical stuff but please email me with questions and I’ll try to answer them as best as I can. This is a beauty!!! And there is no reserve so the highest bid wins! The car is located in Amherst, NH. Feel free to email if you want to see it/test drive it.

Again, please email me with any questions. I’ll try to answer them as best I can and can take more pictures upon request. Thank! I’ve never had it professionally waxed or detailed. I’m sure it would look fantastic if it was.